10 unexpected uses for your banana peel

Who said that banana peels were only used to annoy your opponents in Mario Kart? Well, I can confirm that they have many more uses than you might think. The Internet is overflowing with anti-waste ideas, each one more original than the last, to maximize this fruit that we love so much. So, if you are like me and your freezer is full of old bananas for a future banana bread that you will never make, this article will certainly inspire you!

1. Banana peel bacon

This is actually really smart! This recipe from The Salted Table is a super-simple version of this idea that has set the web on fire. Simply scrape out the inside of the banana peels, marinate them and fry them in the pan. Adding liquid smoke makes all the difference, so I suggest you don't skip this step. I'm already looking forward to surprising my vegetarian friends at the next brunch!   

 2.  Banana Peel Vegan Pulled Pork 

I discovered this great recipe on Free the Pickle and it will definitely impress your guests while reducing food waste. The texture is very similar to a classic pulled pork, thanks to the stringy side of the banana peel, with none of the bitterness you would expect. It is important to use organic bananas and to adapt the cooking time to the ripeness of the bananas.  

3. Banana Honey 

Here is another clever recipe from Ma Pâtisserie’s blog that takes a little bit of time but requires very few ingredients! Honey is a staple. It can be used to enhance the flavour of sauces, dressings, desserts, smoothies, name it. High-quality honey (I'm not talking about the Teddy Bear bottle here) can be very expensive. So why not make some with what you have on hand and save money at the same time? Another great reason to make it yourself and give bananas a second life. 

4. Zero-waste Spiced Chutney 

This original recipe created by nutritionist Geneviève O'Gleman can easily be adapted to whatever leftover items you got in your fridge. I'm already drooling at the thought of adding it to my cheese boards as an aperitif, on a hummus dip, on a curry or in a simple sandwich!  

5. Banana Infused Vinegar 

Another simple and brilliant trick!  Simply macerate your banana peels in a large jar of vinegar for a week, strain it and boom, you're done. You get 100% natural banana vinegar that you can use to make delicious vinaigrettes for your summer salads with a touch of tropical flavour!  

6. Relaxing Herbal Tea 

Another good reason not to throw away those banana peels. Simmer the skins for about 15 minutes in boiling water and add a little honey, cinnamon or even ginger. Enjoy this drink before going to bed. This beverage filled with magnesium and potassium will improve the quality of your sleep and relax your muscles. The B6 vitamin and tryptophan it contains also help with the production of melatonin and serotonin, which will bring you into the arms of Morpheus. By the way, you can even add the boiled skins to your smoothie or cakes and maximize its benefits.  

7. Meat Tenderiser 

Skinless and boneless meats are known to dry out and fall apart quickly when cooked in sauce. Say goodbye to dry meat that just rolls around in your mouth!  Simply place a banana peel in your pan with the meat to keep it tasty, tender and juicy!    

8. Leather Care

Whether you want to restore the softness and shine of your leather shoes, a piece of furniture or a handbag, banana peels come to the rescue once again! Rub these items with the inside of the banana peel, let it sit for a few minutes and remove the residue with a soft cloth. They'll be back to their former glory, and you'll really feel like you've given them a new lease on life!  

9. Healing the Everyday Boo-boos

Did you know that banana peels have antibacterial and antifungal properties? You can use them on mosquito bites to relieve the itching. Great news if mosquitoes eat you alive every summer! You can also use it on light burns, bruises and small cuts to accelerate healing thanks to the vitamins and minerals it contains. 

10. Teeth Whitening

Another really amazing thing about banana peels is that you can rub them on your teeth before brushing and it is said to reduce coffee and tea stains. I've personally never tried it but let me know if it works for you!   

Did you know that you can actually slip on a banana peel?  It's one of the oldest visual comical gags on television and especially in silent movies in the 1920s. « This gag was already seen as classic in 1920s America. It can be traced to the late 19th century, when banana peel waste was considered a public hazard in a number of American towns. Although banana peel-slipping jokes date to at least 1854, they became much more popular, beginning in the late-1860s, when the large-scale importation of bananas made them more readily available. »1 Here is a Mythbusters video where they did some pretty conclusive testing on the subject. 

We will definitely all go to bed a little less b-a-n-a-n-a-s tonight! 
 

From Millie Jacques, Coordinator in Customers service Still Good